One-half to



(No Model.)

O. KITOHE LL.

SHIPPING CAN.

No. 424,066. Patented Mar. 25, 1890,

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

OSCAR KITCHELL, OF VALPARAISO, INDIANA, ASSIGNOR OF ONE-HALF TO \VILLIAM H. CURTIS, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

SHIPPING-CAN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 424,066, dated March 25, 1890.

Application filed June 11, 1889.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, OSCAR KITCHELL, a citizen of the United States, residing at V alparaiso, in the county of Porter and State of Indiana, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Shipping-Cans, of which the following is a specification.

This invention has for its object to provide a locking device for shipping-cans with removable covers; and the invention consists in means to that end, hereinafter described, and particularly pointed out in the claims.

Shipping-cans are in common use in which the can has a large open mouth with a cover adapted to close the same by being accurately fitted thereto, but without any means for looking it in place. In shipping milk in such cans the contents are dashed about, worked between the Wall of the can and the periphery of the cover, and the oil contained. in the milk so lubricates the parts in contact that their separation is very easily effected, and often results simply from the jarring and shaking of the cans during shipment. To remedy this evil I have provided a lock for the cover, which permits of the ready removal and fastening of the same, and preferably in such a mannerzthat the cover, while free to be removed to permit the contents of the can to be emptied, is yet secured to the can in such way that it cannot be accidentally separated therefrom, which provision avoids the inconvenience resulting from misplacing the cover, and also damage which might result thereto by reason of the cover being dropped and crushed by being stepped on or otherwise.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of a can containing my improvements applied as in use. Fig. 2 is a similar view looking directly upon the looking appliance. Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the cover of the can removed from the mouth and held suspended by the locking device; and Fig. 4 is a central sectional elevation with the cover and locking device in place, and intended to illustrate more particularly the construction of the latter, and also to show a vent in the can-top.

A represents the body of a can, which may be of the usual form, and which will have the neck a, and, preferably, the flaring mouth I Serial No. 313,843. (No model.)

C represents the can-cover, having a straight portion a and the flaring rim C, the parts being adapted to fit the straight portion and the flaring mouth of the can, respectively.

Upon the wall of the can is secured ahook or catch D, and on the flaring mouth is secured a plate, as d, which will be perforated to admit the passage therethrough of the looking rod or rods E. Said rods are pivotally conn ected to the can-top, a convenient method being by means of the loop or shackle F, passed through an eye e on the end of the rod. I prefer to make the locking-rod U- shaped in form, so as to furnish a more secure fastening, and also to prevent the twisting of the top when it is removed.

The operation of the lock may be understood by referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, wherein the can-top is locked in position. To unlock the latter it is necessary to disengage the bow of the locking-rod from the hook or catch on the can, and then by raising the top in the usual way until it clears the straight portion of the neck of the can, when the top may be inverted and the locking-rod dropped down again until its bow can-be caught under the loop, in which position the top is locked on the can, so as to prevent its accidental separation therefrom or swinging laterally thereon. It is evident that when the can is in the locked condition the top cannot be removed by any strain, accidental or otherwise, except one which first releases the locking-rod from engagement with the catch, and even in such a contingency the fact that one edge of the can is loosely connected with the edge of the top would, to some extent, limit its tendency to separation.

I claim- 1. A locking device forshipping-cans with removable covers, comprising a locking-rod pivotally connected to the cover and having a sliding connection with the can, and a lockingcatch for said rod secured to the can, sub stantially as described.

2. In combination with a shipping-canhaving a removable cover, a locking device comprising a locking-rod pivotally connected to the cover, lugs rigidly secured to the can and having an aperture through which the rod is passed, and a hook or catch secured to the can-body to engage the locking-rod, substantially as described.

3. In combination with a shipping-can havin a removable cover, a locking device c0111- 5 prising a U-shaped rod pivotally connected to the cover, a lug rigidly secured to the can and having apertures through which the members of the U -1'0d pass, and a hook or catch on the wall of the can to engage the bow of the loop, substantially as described.

OSCAR KITCHELL. Witnesses:

C. C. LINTHICUM, T. D. BUTLER. 

